The Year of the Three Kings: Miniature Sheet - 31 August 2006

In January 1936 King George V died, to be succeeded by his son who
became Edward VIII. Edward, who was in love with the American divorcee
Wallis Simpson, was forced to make a choice between Mrs Simpson and the
throne. Putting love before duty he was succeeded by his brother who
became King George VI in December that year.

This is a scan of the actual sheet.

The miniature sheet contains a single £3 Machin definitive, and
non-postally valid reproductions of the 1d red King George V
(photogravure), King Edward VIII, and King George VI stamps.
In the corner of the sheet are national floral emblems as shown on the
King George VI stamp designed by Eric Gill.

Although there is no new stamp, as the £3 stamp has been issued
previously, Royal Mail have announced a Commemorative Cover for this
sheet. The £3 stamp appears to be a good match to the one issued
in conventional sheets.

All stamp and postmark images are copyright 2006, Royal Mail.

Technical details:
Designed by Together Design Ltd, the sheet is printed by De La Rue
Security Print in gravure. Dimensions: 126mm x 73mm.

First Day Covers

We have produced a small number of First Day Covers for this issue
which will be available with postmark M10173 or L10165
. These are now sold out

Also available
Miniature sheet - mint or vfu - Price £3.50
Sheet on PO fdc* with any available postmark - Price £4.75.
* As the PO fdc is 'illustrated' with uncoloured embossed heads of
the kings, similar to the heads on the stamps, viewers will have to
imagine that they can see it below!

Special Postmarks available on the day of this issue are shown here;
others will be added as they are announced. These images may not
be to scale..

Ref FD637 - Official Bureau postmark, a crown and profiles of
King George VI, King Edward VIII, and King George VI.

Ref FD638
Threekingham postmark showing the three crowns

Ref E4680
Windsor Permanent Postmark

Ref M10173
Year of the Three Kings, King's Heath, Birmingham

Ref L10170
1936 Year of the Three Kings, Kingsdown, Dover, Kent

Ref L10163
1936 year of The Three Kings - 70th anniversary Windsor.

Ref L10164
Three Kings Yard, London EC4.

Ref L10167
70th Anniversary Year of The Three Kings, Buckingham Gate,
London SW1

Ref L10165
1936 The Three Kings, Windsor, Berks

Ref L10168
Year of the Three Kings, Three Kings Yard, London W1

Ref N10174
The Three Kings, Threekingham, Sleaford

Ref L10166
70th anniversary Year of The Three Kings, Dean's Yard, London
SW1.

Ref L10169
Year of the Three Kings, London SW1.

Ref L4666
London SW permanent postmark showing Buckingham Palace.

Ref L10162
Commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the "Year of Three Kings",
Baldwin's the Name for Numismatics